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Maybe like me, a few weeks ago you made some series decisions about what you wanted to do different this year in your life. Typically, we tend to start off pretty strong, making the necessary shifts and rearranging the priorities. So, what keeps up the motivation and priorities? Especially when it comes to our prayer life.

Prayer is one of the most difficult things to do because it takes time, energy, and honesty when we don’t always want to give it. Yet prayer is one of the most important things a Christian can do. How do we call ourselves believers if prayer is the alignment of our souls with God, yet we do not pray? How can we know God and imitate him if we don’t take the time to communicate with him and listen?

To say that prayer isn’t essential minimizes one of the most prominent themes in the life and ministry of Jesus. Mark 1:35, says, “Rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Jesus felt it necessary to remove himself from the patterns of daily life in order to communicate with the Father. If we are to be imitators of Christ we must recognize the importance of this act. Jesus believed communication with God to be so important that, though he was God, he devoted specific time alone to it. This must be an example for us.

Christ made prayer a central component of his ministry. We know it’s important, but why? The Bible gives us a fascinating picture of what prayer does in our lives and in the world around us. Hebrews 4:16 says that by prayer we may “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” But the necessity for prayer goes beyond times of need.

In prayer, our desires can become more like God’s desires, and we may align our wills with the will of God. 1 John 5:14-15 says, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” According to this passage, we are called to pray in a way that reflects Christ’s will, not our own will.

If we pray in this manner, our desires and hopes will become more like Christ’s because we train ourselves to hope for things that are consistent with his plans. Romans 8:26 makes this clearer by introducing the Holy Spirit’s role in our prayers, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” The Spirit works at aligning our prayers to the will of God, and so, when we pray, we are brought closer to right relationship with him. Prayer isn’t about making the things we selfishly want happen; it’s about making us want what God wants.

I will tell you about this and more this Sunday. Come expecting a fantastic Lords Day.

The Boise March for Life takes place every January on the weekend anniversary of Roe v Wade to commemorate the over 50 million unborn children that have been lost since the infamous Supreme Court ruling. The March and rally that follows are a celebration of life and demonstration in the belief that all life is sacred. On January 19, 2019, Right to Life of Idaho will host the 46th Annual Boise March for Life!!

Being pro-life is not in opposition to science. It’s quite the opposite in fact! Medical and technological advancements continue to reaffirm the science behind the pro-life cause – that life begins at fertilization, or day one, when egg meets sperm and a new, unique, human embryo is created.

From the moment of fertilization, our DNA is present, whether it’s 23 pairs of chromosomes or 22.

The unique fingerprint that each of us has – distinguishing us from any other human on the planet, is determined by that DNA at day one! Right from the beginning of life, you are becoming the unique, incredible, unrepeatable person that you are! There is an abundance of scientific resources supporting the pro-life cause. Did you know that medical authorities determine a person to be “alive” if there is either a detectable heartbeat or brain-wave activity. With that in mind, it is eye-opening for some to realize that unborn children have detectable heartbeats at 18 days (two and one-half weeks) after conception and detectable brain-wave activity 40 days (a little over five and one-half weeks) after conception. What is so shocking is that essentially 100 percent of all abortions occur after the seventh week of pregnancy.

Why are children aborted? The Alan Guttmacher Institute (the research arm of Planned Parenthood) states:

· 1 percent are victims of incest or rape

· 1 percent had fetal abnormalities

· 4 percent had a doctor who said their health would worsen if they continued the pregnancy

· 50 percent said they didn’t want to be a single parent or they had problems in current relationships

· 66 percent stated they could not afford a child

· 75 percent said the child would interfere with their lives.

When are children aborted? Fifty percent of all abortions are performed at eight weeks; 25 percent at nine to ten weeks; 14 percent at eleven to twelve weeks; 5 percent at thirteen to fifteen weeks; 4 percent at sixteen to twenty weeks; and 2 percent after twenty weeks.

How many children are aborted? If you are an American citizen, no doubt your greatest interest is in your own nation. Let me break the abortions down to a national statistic: 1,600,000 babies are aborted in these United States every year. Per day, that’s 4,383; per hour, it’s 183; per minute, 3. That’s correct—in America alone 3 children are killed every minute.

I can hear a few passionate pro-life activists urging me to turn to the verse that says, “Thou shalt not get an abortion,” so everyone will understand that the issue, so far as the Bible goes, is a slam-dunk. There is no such verse. Since that is true, we must search God’s timeless Word for scriptures that assist us in coming to correct conclusions. By thinking through the logic we are often able to arrive at positions that are virtually airtight.

The first chapter of Genesis is the account of God’s creative actions as He originated all things. In Genesis 1:26 we read the words of the Godhead, speaking together, “Let Us make man in Our image.” Never before has such a statement appeared in Scripture, nor will it ever appear related to animal, plant or any other life, including life that might be in the planetary spaces. This is limited to human life. Only human life—by God’s design—possesses the image of God.

It should not surprise us, then, when we turn to Exodus 20:13 and read, “You shall not murder.” Why? Because there is something distinctly precious and unique about human life. In God’s view, it is so precious and unique He commands that it must be protected and preserved. It alone represents “the image of God.” This precious human life is not to be treated violently by other human beings.

I encourage you, if at all possible, to make some noise about this issue, and stand in support of the unborn, who can’t speak for themselves.

The Idaho March for Life will leave the Gene Harris Bandshell at Julia Davis Park (150 N Capitol Blvd. Boise, ID) at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2019, and arrive at the steps of the Idaho State Capitol building (700 W Jefferson St. Boise, ID) for a rally for life.

Thank you Deer Flat Church for being Christ like! This is why I love being the pastor of such a tremendous flock of people! Really. I can’t wait to see you this Sunday! I Love My Church!

Have you ever needed an alignment? Most of the time when we hear that word, we immediately think about our car. Mechanics and my Dad would tell you a lot of things go into maintaining your vehicle so it performs safely and at its best. I’ve pretty much got their speech down: “Proper wheel alignment is one thing that plays an important role. Wheel alignment affects fuel efficiency, tire wear, tire performance, vehicle handling and maneuverability.”

It doesn’t take much to knock a vehicle out of alignment: potholes, curbs and even regular wear and tear can take a toll on your vehicle’s suspension system and steering components. And once that happens, everything—your tires, your vehicle and your hands on the steering wheel—will soon feel it. How do I know this? I visited Tom Scott Honda today. Dropped the car off for a set of new bushings on the front end and some brakes. When I picked it up, the mechanic went over the bill, explaining these things to me and letting me know that he threw in an “alignment.” There’s our word.

You know, the same thing can happen with your spiritual life. You can get knocked out of alignment from the potholes of life, even the regular daily wear and tear can take a toll on your body, soul and spirit.

The call of God is to walk in relationship with Him. And, that includes discovering and doing His will. In order to do that, it requires an alignment of our heart with His. We’re going to be talking about that during this first month of the year. What if we could really get an alignment of our heart as a great start to 2019, and live this year in the will of God? Wouldn’t that be something. I’ll tell you about it this Sunday.

I have a very important announcement to share with you this Sunday. You won’t want to miss. You’re in for a great Lord’s Day at Deer Flat! Come expecting an unforgettable experience with the Living God!

If a product or service is going to make it for the long run, it must continue to meet a real need. This is seen in some of the great companies of old. Do you remember Blockbuster? At one time, Blockbuster dominated the home video rental market. While studios reportedly tried to sell video cassettes for as much as $75, Blockbuster charged a low rental fee. But by 1994, Blockbuster was struggling along with the entertainment industry, when box office ticket sales dropped by 2%. The company failed to move into online distribution, and was later outpaced by Netflix, which began both mail and digital streaming services, taking away the bulk of Blockbuster’s business.

Isn’t this premise true for the Church as well? The Church must continue to find a way to serve a real need if it wants to have a future! If Blockbuster serves as just one example of 1,000’s of great companies (Woolworth, Polaroid, Pan Am, Toys R Us, etc.) that couldn’t stand the test of time, the Church had better be paying close attention.

I’m not suggesting any major changes are needed but I do believe these general principles apply and are worth noting. Let’s be honest, the Church really has an amazing story… Much like a Timex watch, the Church has taken a licking but keeps on ticking! So, what has been the secret sauce of the 2,000-year-old Church? Well, we know everything evolves at some level, even the church. Just think how different (music, clothing, size, etc.) it has transformed over your lifetime. Yet with all the changes that the church has experienced, one thing has remained the same… it’s message! Ever since those boys gathered in the Upper Room (Acts 2), they’ve been telling the same old story of Jesus.

You see, the real need that everyone shares is Jesus, and the Church has been and will continue to be the best at delivering this message. I’m convinced that the moment we take the message of Jesus out, we have just discovered the demise of the Church! Our take away today is this, we must never forget why we do what we do, and we must never be too proud to adjust along the way so we can keep the main thing the main thing!

This Sunday is our last chance to worship together in 2018, let’s do it as a single service at 10:30am!

See you soon!Ryan

PSA couple of reminders:All giving for 2018 must be in the office or postmarked no later than 12/31/18. Thank you for support Deer Flat ministries and missions! May the lord bless you in the coming year.

Please schedule your appointment for the new Deer Flat pictorial directory. This is a great tool for everyone to help put names and faces together. The directory will only be as good as you make it! Photo sessions begin January 8th. Sign up here

#1.An Unusual Sunday – The month of December around Deer Flat includes a variety of “out of the norm” Sundays. As you know, last weekend we presented the Christmas Musical and Drama, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A couple thousand people walked through our doors, and what a wonderful opportunity for them to experience life at Deer Flat Church. Thanks for inviting your friend! I so enjoyed meeting so many new people, most of them being your friends. You guys always do a tremendous job reaching out and inviting others.

Here’s what this Sunday looks like…

1st Hour – 9:30 a.m. We’ll enjoy a solid morning of worship and time in the Word. We’re going to be looking at the Christmas Story from Heaven’s perspective. This is going to be a great hour for us. We will be streaming first hour this week.

2nd Hour – 11:00 a.m. Our CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM, which is always awesome, will be presented. So, join us first hour and then plan to stay for an amazing performance by the kids during the second hour.

#2. An Unusual Opportunity – Tuesday evening, December 18th there will be an outstanding CUFI event with the speaker being Danny Tirza. This is the amazing Israeli who was tasked with the responsibility of building the security wall in Israel. This is an amazing story. I’ve had the privilege of meeting Danny several times, toured with him in Israel, hosted him at Deer Flat, and found him to be an amazing person. He will be speaking at the CHABAD SYNAGOGUE in Boise at 7 p.m. The synagogue is located on Maple Grove, just south of Overland. This is one of those events you’ll not want to miss. I believe he will also be speaking about the recent Hezbollah tunnels discovered and destroyed on the Israel-Lebanon border. It will be an evening where we can also bless our Jewish friends at their synagogue.

#3. Something Worth Your Consideration – With the year end quickly approaching, I’d like to encourage you to consider helping us close out the year as strong as possible financially. December is a pretty aggressive month in our budget. This will enable us to not only finish the year strong, but will also help us stay on track with our plan to wipe out the debt on our Building Project. Thank you for your generosity and your faithfulness in helping meet the needs month after month. There’s no way we could do what we do without you. December is our largest budget month. $242,000 is budgeted for the month, and currently we have received $46,000. Let’s be faithful on our end, and watch what God does on His end.

I can’t wait to see you this Sunday. You are the greatest flock that any Pastor could shepherd!

Pastor D

PS-Laura McCafferty just had a precious baby girl the other morning, ended up with complications & in the hospital yesterday. Let’s bless this wonderful family with meals while she recovers!

Sunday evening marked the beginning of Hanukkah. This is the eight-day Jewish festival that celebrates and remembers the story of which is recounted in 1 Maccabees. Many are familiar with the eight-day festival of Hanukkah because of its proximity to Christmas, but the two have no connection. It is commemorated on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, and falls sometime in late November or December. It is the most recent Jewish festival, dating to the second century before Christ.

Although a celebration of Christmas is nowhere to be found in the New Testament (even subsequent to the resurrection of Christ), Hanukkah finds its way into the gospels and serves as an important backdrop in the ministry of Jesus Christ in John 10. To understand the significance of this aspect of His ministry, however, it is necessary to understand Hanukkah.

In 167 B.C., the Syro-Greek king Antiochus IV Epiphanes began to persecute the Jewish people. Antiochus IV Greek forbade circumcision, burned Jewish Scriptures, forced Jews to eat unclean swine’s flesh, and desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem by commanding an un-kosher sacrifice of swine on the Temple’s altar.

Horrified by the sacrilege of Antiochus IV, an elderly priest Mattathias and his son Judah Maccabaeus, AKA “the Hammer”, formed a militia and waged a war of guerilla tactics against the occupying Greek forces: “Every man who has zeal for the Law and maintains the Covenant, let him follow me!” (1 Macc 2:27). The revolution succeeded and the Temple was rededicated in 164 B.C. on the twenty-fifth day of Kislev. The festival commemorating the event is called Hanukkah, meaning “Dedication.”

The feast of Hanukkah lasts eight days because Judas Maccabaeus wanted to imitate King Solomon. After all, Solomon had dedicated the original temple during the eight-day feast of Tabernacles. However, the feast of Tabernacles falls in the month of Tishri, not Kislev. Instead of waiting another ten months, Judas Maccabaeus decreed that a new eight-day festival be created in imitation of the festival of Tabernacles, beginning on the twenty-fifth day of the Jewish month of Kislev. The book of 2 Maccabees records that Judas Maccabaeus instituted the eight-day festival because, “Solomon also kept the eight days,” when the original Temple was dedicated (2 Macc 2:12).

The Jewish Talmud offers another tradition to explain the eight days of Hanukkah. When the Jews recaptured Jerusalem from the tyrannous Greeks, the Jewish priests did not have enough oil to keep the Temple’s menorah lit. There was only enough sacred oil to burn for one day and it would take at least a week to mix a fresh supply of holy oil. Yet, the one-day supply of holy oil lasted for eight days by a divine miracle. For this reason, faithful Jews light the menorah during the eight days of the festival.

Many Christians are unaware of these connections. As a result, they miss the important “Hanukkah message” of Christ in John’s Gospel. The presence of Christ at the Temple during Hanukkah is important because Hanukkah recalled how the Maccabees dedicated the Temple after the Greeks had defiled it. However, the presence of God’s glory did not manifest itself at the re-dedication of the Maccabees and fill the Temple as it did in the days of King Solomon. Since the time of the Maccabees, God had not inhabited the Temple as He had before the Jews’ Babylonian exile. The presence of Christ in the Temple at Hanukkah shows that God’s presence had once again entered to the Temple.

It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter and Jesus was walking in the Temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us openly” (Jn 10:22-24).

It was during Hanukkah that Christ answered them by boldly proclaiming: “I and the Father are one” (Jn 10: 30). Christ entered into the Temple at the feast of Hanukkah and presented himself as the God of Israel. His enemies immediately understood His claim in light of Hanukkah’s significance. We know this because they took up stones to stone him and said “We stone you for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself to be God” (Jn 10:31-33). Hence, the festival of Hanukkah serves as a sign of Christ’s fulfillment of the Temple and the entire Old Covenant. Jesus was not only a gifted rabbi from Nazareth—He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

In John 10.22, almost two hundred years later, mention is made of the Feast of Dedication. At that time, one part of the festival included the reading of a portion of Scripture that reminded the people of the unfaithful rulers of the past and the God who would watch over His people. The passage that was read came from the prophet Ezekiel:

“The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: `This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.“‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.“`For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them’” 34:1-11 This, then, is the context for the incredible statements that Jesus made during the Feast of Dedication during His final winter on earth.

Against this backdrop Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. . . . My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (Jn 10.14-15, 27-29).

Jesus contrasted Himself with the unfaithful, corrupt shepherds of Israel’s past and declared Himself to be the True Shepherd of God’s people. In so doing, He established the standard for all subsequent shepherds of the people of God and described the responsibilities of leadership: to take care of the flock, to strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the injured, bring back the strays, search for the lost; to rule gently and kindly, and to keep them from scattering and becoming vulnerable to the enemy.

Yeshua is the Ultimate Shamash - The shammash candle is the servant candle, that serves the other candles by bringing light to them. In the New Testament, Jesus is frequently referred to as “the Light,” and Jesus Himself once said,

“I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Just as the shammash gives light to the other candles, Jesus came to give the world His Light. As we celebrate Hanukkah, it is good for us be reminded of that light. As believers in Jesus, Hanukkah should hold precious meaning to us. The miracles we celebrate at Hanukkah – the defeat of an enemy army, the oil lasting for eight days – show how God keeps His light burning in the hearts of His people, even when they face what seem to be impossible odds or situations. With God, all things are possible. His light cannot fail, or go out.

Happy Chanukkah!

I’ll close with this quick reminder: SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEKEND…

With the Christmas Musical and Drama, the performances are as follows. Let’s go all out to invite someone to a wonderful experience at Deer Flat.

It’s NOVEMBER – and you know what that means…it’s an outstanding month to be thankful. These days, when we’re all so busy and stretched to the limit, I know it’s difficult to take the time to think about all that we’re thankful for. In just a few days we’ll be sitting around our tables and probably talking about what we’re thankful for and various other pieces of conversation regarding Thanksgiving. But, why wait? There’s no reason you can’t pause each day to reflect on the goodness of God, and the good things He has blessed you with in your life.

Nothing is too small to include on your gratitude list. How about being thankful for a roof overhead, thriving children, food to eat, a fruitful marriage, gainful employment, your health and/or even your medications. How about being thankful for the little things—like a haircut, no icy roads, heat in the car, and maybe even a flu shot. Or, the short line you were able to find at the grocery store. I’m grateful for a cup of hot coffee early in the morning and a bit of quiet time to read and ponder.

According to the Law of Attraction, gratitude attracts more of the things we’re thankful for. You can express your gratitude in so many ways. It’s a chance to be creative and more intentional in your daily activities.

So many people are struggling right now. Life is FULL of challenges! Each of us seem to be going through something sad, something bad and/or something we don’t want to have to deal with. And it is so easy to get caught up in it.

Today, I’m aware of the fact that life is better than I deserve, which is saying something these days. The world is full of pain and suffering, hardship and turmoil, disappointment and regret. So the fact that I can be thankful and mean it is, in its own way, a small miracle.

And in case you were wondering, here are my 10 reasons to give thanks today:

I am thankful for my health, for being able to run on my treadmill and eat a turkey dinner.

I am thankful for my wife, who has been my faithful prayer warrior and partner for an incredible number of years. I’m so fortunate!

I am thankful for the opportunity to study and learn and then craft something to tell you about on Sunday — that it is both extremely hard and easy at the same time. Easy to do, hard to master. Sometimes frustrating. Always rewarding.

I am extremely thankful for my Deer Flat Family. You guys inspire me.

I am thankful for The Deer Flat Staff – dedicated servants full of creative minds and always seizing hold of opportunities.

I am thankful for doing work that matters.

I am thankful for the chance to learn from my mistakes.

I am thankful for this Holiday Season — a time to give and be generous.

I am thankful for the chance to live in Idaho!

Lastly, and most importantly, I am thankful for Grace — for love that cannot be explained (only surrendered to), for a Creator that inspires creativity, for purpose and a hope that there is more to the story than we can see or imagine.

Speaking of being thankful, let me close by sharing with you how humbled I am to be the Pastor of the greatest church that has ever sat in a Beet Field! You love, kindness, generosity, and support is a constant reminder of the great people who make up Deer Flat Church. Thank you for taking the amazing step of faith to build our Children’s Ministry Center. Let me give you the latest update.

The New Building is valued at $3.2 million. We were able to complete it and furnish it for $2.7 million. Our current debt load is $1,366,000. Our goal has been to pay for this project in 36 months. That target date is January of 2020. It would be outstanding to hit January of 2019 with only $1 million remaining for our balance. This would keep us right on track. I invite any of you who haven’t already made a pledge to the Building Fund, to consider giving something significant towards the project between now and January 1.

To go along with that, our regular giving towards our operational budget has us right on track. If we can close out November and then December, which is a pretty strong budget month, we will use any excess funds from our ministry budget, toward our Building Project.

Thank you for your faithful, generous, sacrificial and selfless giving to the work of the Kingdom! I have got to be the pastor of the GREATEST CONGREGATION IN THE WORLD!

If you’ve got a few minutes, I’ll get you caught up on some things I think you’ll want to know about…

TOMORROW – VETERAN’S SUNDAY: We have enjoyed having the opportunity to honor and celebrate those who have served us as a Nation, and those who are currently serving. Each year we endeavor to make this an outstanding day where we not only acknowledge our service men and women, but we always include a message of hope and healing for those who may be carrying lasting burdens over the experiences that were had during years of service. This year will be no different. We have an outstanding guest, Priscilla Giddings. Her military career is nothing short of impressive. She was selected to fly a fighter aircraft, the A-10 Warthog. Upon completing fighter training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, she was the only one in her class to be awarded “Top Gun,” a weapons employment precision award. She followed her A-10 assignment with a career-broadening assignment flying intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the MC-12. You will enjoy hearing her story of service to both GOD and Country. Why not invite a friend for this special day!

24 HOURS OF PRAYER: On the last weekend of November, we will be spending 24 hours in prayer. You’ll have a chance to participate in this by simply signing up for a 30 minute slot, where you will pray and intercede for a variety of needs and situations. You can do this from the convenience of your home. You’ll find a table in the lobby NEXT SUNDAY. Stop by the table and sign up for the time of your choosing. We believe this will result in many answers to prayer and a chance for God to work in ways that will be difference making in both the lives of people and their situations. Thank you for stepping up and filling the gap!

THE HOLIDAY SEASON: I know it’s hard to believe, but the spirt of Thanksgiving and Christmas is upon us. These are OUTSTANDING opportunities for us to reach out to the unchurched and invite them to join you for an amazing experience at Deer Flat. I will be doing a message on the last Sunday of November entitled – I Choose To Be Thankful. As we move into December, we will be Unwrapping Christmas – our series for the month. Beyond this we have 3 EXCEPTIONAL EVENTS: 1) The Christmas Musical and Drama, December 7,8, and 9. 2) The Children’s Christmas Program, December 16 3) Christmas Eve Service. All of these are going to be outstanding. Lots of our people have dedicated themselves to make these events happen. Let’s maximize on the season to lift up Jesus.

I am looking forward to being with you tomorrow. Come expecting a great Lord’s Day. Between now and then, take some time to prayer for the day!

Until recent years, many Jews in America believed that the worst of anti-Semitism was over there, in Europe, leftovers of the Holocaust history.

American Jews are welcome in universities, country clubs and corporate boards that once excluded their grandparents. They married non-Jews, moved into mixed neighborhoods and by 2000, and the first Jew, Joe Lieberman, ran for vice president on a major party ticket.

So the massacre on Saturday of 11 people in a Pittsburgh synagogue, by a man who told the police that he “wanted all Jews to die,” was for many a shocking wake-up call. So is killing Jews simply because they’re Jews.

Each and every Christian should be clear on this point: Anti-Semitism in any and all forms is a despicable evil.

On Saturday morning, a terrorist entered Tree of Life synagogue in a middle class neighborhood of Pittsburgh and opened fire during Shabbat services. Robert Bowers killed eleven people, and injured a number of others, including four law enforcement officers.

This shooting has left American Jews asking a question they should never have to ask: Are they safe? In America even, are they safe?

It’s not an overreaction. What’s believed to be the deadliest attack on worshiping Jews in American history is only the most recent, and most extreme, example of the increasing anti-semitism in the United States. Yes, “increasing.”

Jews are only 2 percent of the American population but according to the FBI, they “account for more than half of the Americans targeted by hate crimes committed due to religious bias.”

According to the Anti-Defamation League, 1,986 anti-Semitic incidents were reported in 2017, compared with 1,267 in 2016. That’s a 57% increase in a single year. Jewish heritage, as one person put it, comes with a “paranoia confirmed by history.”

As Christians called by God to this cultural moment, it’s not enough to merely avoid being anti-Semitic. We ought to oppose this vile ideology wherever and whenever we come across it.

In a short piece on anti-Semitism, Francis Schaeffer wrote “…we should keep constantly in our minds that our Lord Himself was a Jew—born a Jew, lived a Jew, died a Jew.” And we should remember, as I read in a blog by Russell Moore, “Jesus remains a Jew. As fully God and fully man, He was not resurrected from His Jewishness. So, “to hate Jews is to hate Jesus.”

In light of that reality and acknowledging fully the Church’s checkered past when it comes to the Jewish people, we must not allow the tiniest whiff of anti-Semitism into our heads, our homes, or our hearts. We hear too much of it today, sometimes in the name of preserving Christian America. There’s nothing, and I mean nothing, Christian about anti-Semitism in any form. As the little poem quoted by Francis Schaeffer back in 1943 reads,

“How odd of God to choose the Jew,But not so odd as those who chooseThe Jewish God and hate the Jew.”

Jer and I had the privilege of attending a Prayer service at the Chabad Synagogue in Boise on Monday evening. It was a tremendous turnout of people from the Treasure Valley. The small Jewish community felt a big, warm hug of love from the many who attended the evening. The Rabbi and congregation were deeply touched and overwhelmed by the response. I know that God was smiling on the evening. As I drove home, I was reminded of a verse from Romans 15. Take a look at it…

“For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.”

What have we received from the Jews spiritually that has been a blessing? How about the Prophets, Patriarchs, The Word of God or our Messiah, for starters? In light of this, I would like to invite any of you who would like to be included, to give an offering this Sunday that will be taken by one of our Board Members who will be in Pittsburgh next week, and he will hand deliver it to the Synagogue with love from Christians in Idaho, who, “mourn with those who mourn.” Be sure to mark it clearly and drop it in the offering box. Why would we do this? Because the custom of the Jews is to overcome evil by doing good. And charity is a way that they use to do good.

Let me close with some important information…

A. THIS SUNDAY IS TIME CHANGE SUNDAY. MOVE YOU CLOCK BACK 1 HOUR.

B. THIS SUNDAY IS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH. LET’S REMEMBER OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ARE SUFFERING FOR THEIR FAITH.

I can’t wait to see you this Sunday!

Loving You and Loving Him,

Pastor D

Asia Bibi, whom many of us have been praying about and had been sentenced to hang, has been released by the Supreme Court of her country, and is being flown out of the country

I read an article from Christianity Today that I found both interesting and troubling. It seems American evangelicals are “deeply confused” about some core doctrines of the Christian faith—according to a new survey.

LifeWay Research conducted a survey on the State of Theology in the United States, Their research was based on interviews with 3,000 Americans. The survey asked what Americans “believe about God, salvation, ethics, and the Bible. Take a look at some of the information.

“Overall, US adults appear to have a superficial attachment to well-known Christian beliefs,” stated the ministry. “For example, a majority agreed that Jesus died on the cross for sin and that he rose from the dead.

“However, they rejected the Bible’s teaching on (1) the gravity of man’s sin, (2) the importance of the church’s gathering together for worship, and (3) the Holy Spirit For example:

• A majority of US adults (58%) said that worshiping alone or with one’s family is a valid replacement for regularly attending church. Only 30 percent disagree.

• A majority of US adults (59%) say that the Holy Spirit is a force, not a personal being.

In the survey, 6 in 10 Americans agree that “religious belief is a matter of personal opinion [and] not about objective truth”—and 1 in 3 evangelicals (32%) say the same.

So, what do you believe about these things? One of the things that is a certainty for Deer Flat Church is that these are some of our core beliefs. We still believe that the Bible is God’s Holy Word. We believe that it is filled with truth from front to back. We believe in the Trinity, the Virgin Birth, baptism and communion. We believe that the Bible is the perfect guidebook for the times in which we live. And, we have no intentions of changing the claims and directives of scripture.

Every week, including this Sunday, we take a look in the Book and see what God wants us to hear and know. We’ll be wrapping up our series, FROM GOOD INTENTIONS TO INTENTIONAL, and specifically “No More Foot Dragging,” when we get together this weekend. We’ll be looking at some amazing things in God’s Word. I can’t wait to see you, so Don’t Drag Your Feet.

Pastor D

By the way, have you been keeping the upcoming elections in your prayers? I think it’s a great thing to do! Thanks!

We’ve all had good intentions and we’re quite well acquainted with what they are, and what they don’t really do. One of the best examples of good intentions, in a variety of ways, is the U.S. Government. Back in 1981 President Ronald Reagan remarked,

“Many of these programs may have come from a good heart, but not all have come from a clear head – and the costs have been staggering. We can be compassionate about human needs without being complacent about budget extravagance.”

Those remarks were made in regards to the Federal Entitlement Program. What was intended to be a meaningful and effective way of helping people who need it through no fault of their own, got clouded and turned into a monster. Good intentions for sure.

If we judged everything by intentions rather than results, the world would be a strange place indeed. If, for example, Steve never calls his mother on her birthday, but he always means to, isn't he still a wonderful son?

That goes for government as well: If we judged laws only according to what their sponsors intended, then every law and every program that has ever been enacted has been an unqualified success. After all, nobody intends for things to go wrong—right?

It’s really hard to fault anyone who has good intentions, but the reality is that they can create more harm than good. The Psalmist contends, “Without delay I hurry to obey your commands” (Psalm 119:60 GNT) I love what Oswald Chambers says about it,

“One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it.”

Many times our good intentions hold us back from the action that we know needs to be taken. It causes a pause in the determination to obey what we know is good and best and right for us. The cost of obedience is nothing compared with the cost of disobedience.

We’re going to be talking about this during October. I’m looking forward to seeing you this Sunday. Come expecting a great day. Come with a responsive heart and a teachable spirit. And, why not think about inviting a friend to come with you. You’re going to love THE LORD’S DAY at Deer Flat Church!

Welcome to the second half of September. I can hardly believe that summer is in our rear view mirror and we are moving quickly towards the end of the year Holidays. While we are all involved in daily living, there are some very interesting days that have been taking place on the Biblical calendar. Take a look at this…

September 9 – Rosh Hashanah – It is the Jewish New Year. It’s a day of prayer, a time to ask Almighty God to grant us a year of peace, prosperity and blessing. But it is also a joyous day when we proclaim God King of the Universe.

September 18 – Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement. This is the holiest day of the year. This is the day of confession and repentance. This was always the day that the High Priest would take the blood of the animal sacrifice into the Holy of Holies and seek God’s forgiveness on behalf of the people.

September 23-30 – Sukkot or Feast of Tabernacles. This is an eight day celebration that is a reminder of God’s divine presence with His people, remembering that God “tabernacled” or dwelt with His people in the wilderness.

So, why does this matter? Great question! These special Holy days were given by God, instituted by Him to be “a lasting ordinance.” Meaning that these special days will stay in place throughout eternity. Why would God desire this? Because each of the feasts and festivals are a picture of our Messiah! They are beautiful portraits of Jesus. These are our roots as Christians. This is what we were birthed out of.

Yeshua is our High Priest. Yeshua is our King of Kings! You can read about these special days in Leviticus 23. John tells us in his Gospel, chapter 1 that, “the Word became flesh and “dwelt” (tabernacled) among us. And we beheld His glory…” This is our Messiah, who came to the world. We are indeed fortunate for sure!

Speaking of a New Year, that’s pretty much how we look at September. The school year begins and it also is very much the way that the Church Calendar functions. We stay busy throughout the year for sure, but the Fall season is really the major launching time for us at Deer Flat. Here’s a few things you will want to know about:

BAPTISM – Sept 30. If you haven’t taken this incredible step in your faith, why not do it now. This is a chance to let the world know that you have abandoned yourself to Christ and now live for Him. We will celebrate this act of obedience together on the last Sunday of September. An information class is happening this Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

LIFE TRACK – Interested in knowing more about Deer Flat Church? Interested in learning what your gifts are and how to use them? Interested in being a disciple? Get into Life Track. It all happens this Sunday at 4 p.m. You need to get registered ASAP because we are serving dinner and will want to include you in our numbers. Go online (deerflat.org) or contact the church office 208.459.3845.

ISRAEL TRIP MEETING – 3:00 pm Sunday. If your interested in the upcoming trip, would like more information, don’t miss this connect. Jer and I will be walking through the itinerary and answering any questions you have. We would love to have you travel with us on this unforgettable trip to the land that is closest to God’s heart.

If you’ve got any stories of how God has used you this month in extending His compassion towards someone, please share that with us. We want to be able to share some stories with the congregation. I can’t wait to see you this Sunday! We’ve got a GREAT LORD’S DAY awaiting you!

I'll get right to it. I’ve got some great things that you’re going to want to know about. Each of these are the perfect things to invite some people to enjoy with you. Here they are…

TOMORROW EVENING – 7 pm SPECIAL GUEST, HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR IRVING ROTH – Whatever you do, don’t miss this one. Those still living, who survived the Holocaust are now on the “endangered species” list. You will love Irving’s heart, his story, and his passion. WOULD YOU MIND TO SPREAD THIS EVENT ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES, EMAIL LISTS, AND ANY OTHER AVENUES YOU HAVE AVAILABLE? THANK YOU!

SEPTEMBER CLASSES – What a great way to connect with others, make an investment in yourself, and grow in your spiritual life. Here’s the entire list of the NEW classes. Enjoy!

But why not listen to Jesus?Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Mt. 11:28-29

Every time we feel weary and heavy-laden, Jesus says —Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. This is a promise that is really perfect for you and me because we are included in the invitation. But, what does it really mean?

What rest does Jesus promise?

Notice — this rest comes from taking His yoke and learning from Him — So the yoke is a picture of learning from Jesus.

Learning what?

What will Jesus teach us that will bring us rest? If you read what Jesus said right before his invitation to the weary —… no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.Mt. 11:27

Sin blinds us to knowledge of God the Father. But in great mercy, through the Cross and the Spirit — Jesus reveals the Father to us.

Then in v.28 Jesus continues the theme of us learning from Him – If we come to Him, all of us who are weary and heavy-laden, He will give us rest. If we take His yoke upon us and learn from Him... (according to what He said in v. 27)— He will reveal the Father to us! What a gift! What a Jesus.

I invite all of you to bring your weariness and overwhelming problems and situations with you this Sunday, because we are going to take all of these and lay them at the feet of our Master. We are going to call on the One who says, Anything’s possible, because God is bigger than you think! Don’t miss this chance to be prayed over and to have your burden lifted.

I can’t wait to see you Sunday. Come expecting. Our combined faith will be difference making.

Just some thoughts about this current series that we’re in. The Bible is really full of verses that underscore just how much God loves the word “IMPOSSIBLE.” Here’s some examples…

1.) But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” ~ Matthew 19:26 ESV

2.) For nothing will be impossible with God. ~ Luke 1:37

3.) I can do all things through him who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13

4.) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” ~ Mark 10:27 ESV

5.) He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move and nothing will be impossible for you.” ~ Matthew 17:20 ESV

6.) And the LORD said, Behold, the people [is] one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. ~ Genesis 11:6 KJV

7.) ~ Job 42:2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

8.) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ~ John 3:16 KJV

9.) Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

10.) So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10

11.) “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. ~ Jeremiah 32:17

12.) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ~ Romans 8:31 ESV

13.) In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:6

14.) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

15.) Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me? ~ Jeremiah 32:27 ESV

This Sunday, (tomorrow) we’re going to investigate one of the most amazing stories found in the Gospels. It is in this story that we hear the famous words of Jesus, “All things are possible if you dare to believe.” You’re going to love it. So, here’s the deal: If you’ve got a friend, neighbor or famly member who needs God to work a miracle, this is the Sunday to invite them to. Come expecting.

One last thing I want to include here is some important words from our Children’s Ministry Director, Julie Walker.

The long-anticipated dedication of the new Children’s facility is right around the corner. Many of you have contributed in many different ways, helping make this a reality. It is an amazing facility. New furnishing, state of the art sound system and lights, and many additional class rooms just waiting to be filled. But it is only a building without a loving staff of volunteers that are willing to give of their time and share their love for Jesus with the kids. There are many positions that MUST be filled by September 9th.

It’s often been said that the church is the hope of the World. But, is the Church really the hope of the World? CS Lewis wrote, “The church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply, a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose. It is even doubtful, you know, whether the whole universe was created for any other purpose.”

I often reflect upon how Deer Flat is doing in relationship to making little Christs (disciples). To make disciples is to allow God to use our availability and obedience, making us part of a process in another person’s life in which he/she becomes someone who is growing in his/her faith and his/her love for the Lord. We make disciples by spending time and investing in their lives, modeling faith and love through how we live our own lives. Simply put, this means we are missional, living with purpose and intentionality.

One of the greatest threats to the Church’s missional effectiveness is actually sexual sin. Pornography and other sexual sins paralyze believers. We get stuck. Our motivation evaporates because of distraction, shame, or any other number of intervening factors. These factors cause us to isolate, removing ourselves from close, authentic relationships that stimulate us to love and good deeds. We are called to go, but sexual sin causes us to stay put. For so many it’s not an unwillingness to be missional. Rather, it’s a feeling of disqualification or nullification based on their sexual sin.

If it’s true that the Church has lost a large part of its effectiveness because of sexual brokenness, what are we doing to address this? Most pastors and church leaders will acknowledge that pornography and sexual brokenness are among the greatest threats to the church today, yet, only 7% of churches offer any solution whatsoever to people who struggle. The reason for this is, many churches are still learning that this doesn’t have to be a “taboo” topic and there are good answers to this tough challenge.

Whether this topic hits home on a very personal level or not, you won’t want to miss this Sunday. We are going to address this further with an evidence-based understanding that sexual brokenness and the associated struggles are a church family issue, not just an individual problem. Our goal is to educate ourselves, communicate a grace message, create a safe “me too” culture, and offer real solutions for you and our world.

I’m so grateful to be part of a church that says we will be the 7%, we will do what it takes to make little Christs, we will be the hope of the World.

For His Glory!

Pastor Ryan

PS – This Sunday we will be introducing a whole series of new classes that we will be offering this fall for any who are looking for support and freedom in sexual brokenness: pornography addiction, spouse support for sexually addicted, victims of abuse, and LGBTQ+

The Bible does give us some very black-and-white things when it comes to knowing and understanding the forcasted events of the future, which is also known as prophecy. We know for instance that many of the prophecies of the Old Testament have in fact been fulfilled. And, a number of those prophecies have been fulfilled during our lifetime.

While that is true, there are some prophecies that we have little knowledge about. For instance, we don’t know what year Jesus is coming back, however, we do know that his coming is near. And by “near,” I mean what the New Testament means when it tells us, multiple times, that his coming is near.

The Next Big Thing - God calls his church, in every generation, to live in light of this remarkable truth: nothing now stands in the way of Jesus’s return. After his perfect life, sacrificial death for us, resurrection from the grave, and ascension to heaven to pour out his Spirit on his church, the next major movement in the history of the world is the second coming of Christ.

In the meantime, there are a variety of very interesting prophecies that address a variety of the current events that mark the days in which we are living. Some of these prophecies are little known. I can’t wait to tell you about one of those THIS SUNDAY as I do a Current Events Briefing. These are always amazing opportunities to tie the things we hear about on the news and read about in the paper, to the insights and forecasts in the Bible. Someone has said, “Prophecy is history written in advance.” I think that’s so true. I hope you’ll come expecting to find once again, what an amazing book the Bible is.

This is one of those great times to invite someone to experience Deer Flat with you.

On a second note, we have a real need: We have over 100 children signed up for Kids Camp next week. We are a bit pressed for housing. We are looking for a trailer or motor-home that would provide housing for the Camp Speaker to stay in, which will open up more space for the kids. If you can help us out, please call the office. 208.459.3845

We’re off to a great month. Thank you for helping make it a significant summer that is filled with difference making events! You guys are absolutely the greatest flock. I feel so fortunate to be the shepherd of the Deer Flat Family! I can’t wait to see you this Sunday!

We’ve arrived at one of the great times of the year at Deer Flat – JULY! It’s midway through the summer and its full of great events and great celebration. This Sunday we get a chance to rejoice and give lots of thanks to God for what He’s been up to over the past year.

I can’t wait to tell you about the many different ways that we have seen God at work providing, blessings, answering, protecting, healing and ministering to the people of Deer Flat. I hate to admit it, but I think we’re a bit spoiled. I only wish that all the churches of the Treasure Valley were able to enjoy the same blessings from God as we do.

Beyond this, we will be able to enjoy an OPEN HOUSE in the new Children’s Ministry Center. We still have a few loose ends to wrap up, but the new wing is 99.7% complete and we want to make it available to everyone to see and enjoy. The children are going to be in a significant and safe environment, strategically located within moments from their family members. This building has been constructed with many safety and security measures, as well as technology that will serve it well in the years to come. Our Administrator, Rick Day, along with the assistance of Pastor Phil Whitbeck, have given tremendous oversight of the project. You’ll hear so much more about it as we gather together this Sunday.

If you happen to know of a young family that you live around or work with, this is the perfect time to invite them to Deer Flat. Never underestimate the power of an invitation, especially when it comes the people who have children. The Children’s Ministry at Deer Flat is outstanding. We intentionally do everything we can to make Sunday Morning the most desired and exciting day of the week for children. We want the kids to nag the parents – forget the “strong urging” and go straight to the nagging – so that Mom and Dad will load them up and deliver them to Julie and her tremendous team of Volunteers and Staff. We want to do all we can to expose them to Jesus while they are young, and then invest in them through the remainder of their growing up years, until we are sending World Changers out into our world.

This Sunday we’re back on track with our regular schedule of 9:30 and 11:00 am. Come expecting an outstanding time at The Church That Sits In The Field of Dreams! I LOVE MY CHURCH!

If you’ve got a minute, I’d love to give you a quick update on what’s happening in the life of Deer Flat Church during this month of JUNE. You’re going to love it…

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – What a week and what an outstanding bunch of children that came through the door! We are so fortunate and so spoiled! Deer Flat has the most AMAZING VOLUNTEERS you could ever find. In fact, there’s just no way that we could have pulled off the week without them. They served with a big heart, loved the kids, invested themselves at all levels, and put a BIG WIN in the books. This was the largest VBS we’ve ever had! Julie and her team made a HUGE investment in these children, and with such joy. The average attendance each day was 323. Isn’t God good!

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO LOANED YOUR KIDS, GRANDKIDS, NEIGHBOR KIDS, FRIENDS’ KIDS AND ALL ELSE.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMP – This week we have a great group of Middle Schoolers at Camp Cascade. The summer camps of Deer Flat are nothing short of amazing and life changing. This group of students are made up of both churched and unchurched. These kids have done a great job of inviting their friends. God is at work this week impacting hearts and lives of young people who will end up changing our world. We are very committed to reaching children and students for Christ while they are still young, and then anchoring them in their walk and relationship with Jesus. Because Camp Cascade belongs to Deer Flat, your giving is providing this camp and the investment being made in every camper. CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! Once again, tremendous VOLUNTEERS helping us do what we couldn’t do without them. Pray for an unforgettable spiritual encounter for everyone at camp.

THE NEW BUILDING – Final finishing touches are being put on this big project, and on JULY 8TH there will be an OPEN HOUSE to enjoy. I will be giving you all of the latest information and so much more on the 8th as we talk about what God has been doing at Deer Flat Church over the past year. This is one of those Sundays you don’t want to miss. The end of June is the target date for having the building finished. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

JUNE FINANCES – We have just finished the last Sunday of June and WE HIT THE TARGET BUDGETED FOR THE MONTH! YEA GOD! YEA DEER FLAT PEOPLE! Once again, because of your kind generosity, this happened. Words aren’t adequate to express the deep gratitude to all of you who give, pray and sacrifice. I am the most fortunate pastor to be the shepherd of this wonderful flock! You put a big toothy grin on my face when I think about you!

THINGS YOU’LL WANT TO KNOW

The NEW sermon schedule is out and you’ll find it on the Welcome Center. It covers the rest of the summer thru November.

SAVE THE DATE – July 8th and August 26th are VERY IMPORTANT SUNDAYS at Deer Flat. July 8th will give you lots of information about what’s been happening during the past year in the life of the church and the NEW BUILDING will be open for your enjoyment. August 26th is our DAY OF DEDICATION AND CELEBRATION of the Children’s Ministry Center. This will be one of the most meaningful and unforgettable days in the 110 year history of Deer Flat. PLEASE DO ALL YOU CAN TO SAVE THESE DATES. Make them a priority and then help us spread the word.

July is staring us in the face and I’m having a hard time believing that we are a third of the way through summer. I confess, because of the summer solstice happening on the 21st of June – the longest day of the year – I have been a bit depressed knowing that the days are going to get shorter. Where’s time going? So, let’s make the most of every opportunity to be together during these Sundays of Summer. Thanks for making Deer Flat Church such a great place to be a part of. I LOVE MY CHURCH! Can’t wait to see you Sunday - and don’t forget…

Silence is the ultimate death. One of my greatest life lessons was to be reminded that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. A marriage that has lost its life goes silent. An automobile that has lost its life goes silent. A church that has lost its life goes silent. Too often silence is perceived as making peace but it’s actually just the opposite, it’s death. Where is the peace in a broken marriage, where is the peace when we are left stranded on the side of the road and where is the peace in a church that watches its people and community crumble around it? Maybe it’s time to make some noise?!

I know there are many things we can make noise about, but would you consider joining me in making some noise for those who can’t do it for themselves. Our U.S. congressional representatives have a chance to hear the squeaky wheels of Idaho and Deer Flat. The days of our groveling over the infamous Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade can be over.

Our world has changed in many ways over the past 40 years, and not necessarily for the better. Human beings continue to treat one another as commodities or inconveniences rather than as precious, unique souls bearing the image of their Creator. Deer Flat Church holds firmly to the Word of God that all human beings are created by God in His image, and that we are called to value every life. Together let’s make some noise for life, for the lives of these innocent children who don’t have to be an inconvenience but instead they can be image bearers of their Heavenly Father!

Let us accept the inconvenience and make some noise by calling (202) 224-3121 and graciously challenge our congressional representatives to cosponsor the Life at Conception Act (Senate bill 231/Congressional bill H.R. 681). Just imagine the opportunity we have before us; our voices can give life to a whole new generation!

John 10:10 reminds us that it’s actually the enemy (the devil) that comes to take life, but it’s our Savior that has come to give life. So many amazing women in their brokenness have made choices to silence these voices only later to discover it never gave them the peace they were promised. In addition to making some noise with our Senators and Congressmen, let’s also never forget to make some noise with our Father in heaven and cry out on behalf of those who have been deceived by the enemy. It’s a broken world friends, we all need Jesus! So, may our voices be loud, and our grace run deep.